October 17, 2025
COUNCILMEMBERS APPROVED OVER FORTY BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS DURING THIS WEEK’S COUNCIL SESSION
As the City Council approaches its adjournment for 2025 in mid-December, the pace of bills receiving final passage votes is picking up.
Council members approved 21 bills and six resolutions listed on the final passage calendar.
The notable bills and resolutions that were approved on the final passage calendar were:
- Bill #250770, introduced by Councilmember Mike Driscoll, 6th District, on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson, 2nd District, would put new automated speed cameras on designated state routes in Philadelphia.
- Bill #250774, sponsored by Councilmember Nina Ahmad, At-Large, would amend Section 9-3903 of The Philadelphia Code (“Certificate of Rental Suitability; Required Tenant Documents”) to include the provision of voter registration information to tenants.
Following Council session, Ahmad held a press conference to celebrate the passage of the bill. She was joined by City Commissioner’s Office Chairman Omar Sabir and City Commissioner Seth Bluestein.
- Resolution #250879, sponsored by Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke, At-Large, that authorizes the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to create a Cost of Living Task Force and to hold hearings on the cost of living in Philadelphia to study conditions and advance recommendations that ensure Philadelphia is a city where all residents can afford to live and thrive.
The other legislation approved included Bills #240872 (introduced by Councilmember Anthony Phillips, 9th District), #250575 (introduced by Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr., 4th District), #250576 (Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr., 5th District), #250652 (introduced by Councilmember Mark Squilla, 1st District), #250653 (Squilla), #250706 (Phillips), #250710 (introduced by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, 3rd District), #250711 (Gauthier), #250712 (Gauthier), #250713 (Gauthier), #250714 (Jones), #250715 (Jones), #250716 (Jones), #250719 (Young), #250723 (Councilmember Brian O’Neill, 10th District), #250724 (Squilla), #250725 (Squilla), #250771 (introduced by Councilmember Mike Driscoll, 6th District), and #250772 (Driscoll).
Bill #250493 (Young) was amended so it can be brought up for final passage at the next Council session. Bill #250721 (O’Neill) was held by the sponsor.
All bills approved during this week’s Council session have been forwarded to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker for her signature or veto.
The resolutions listed on the final passage calendar and approved this week included Resolutions #250853 (introduced by Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, At-Large, for Council President Kenyatta Johnson, 2nd District), #250868 (Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, 7th District), #250869 (Lozada), #250870 (Lozada), and #250882 (Councilmember Cindy Bass, 8th District).
FIVE NEW BILLS INTRODUCED THIS WEEK
Councilmembers introduced five bills during this week’s session. Among the notable bills are:
- Bill #250890 (introduced by Councilmember Cindy Bass, 8th District) would amend Section 10-503 of the Philadelphia Code to prohibit the Unlawful Trading, Theft, and Trafficking of Catalytic Converters and Motor Vehicle Parts Containing Precious Metals and to increase penalties.
- Bill #250889 (introduced by Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr., 5th District) would amend Section 19-1606 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled “Penalties and Interest for Late Payment,” by exempting certain residential customers from penalties and interest for late payment of water and sewer rent charges.
- Bill #250888 (introduced by Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, At Large) would amend Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions” by adding a new chapter to prohibit third-party restaurant reservation services from arranging unauthorized restaurant reservations with food service establishments and to provide for definitions, prohibited acts, penalties, and enforcement.
The other bills introduced were #250887 (Gilmore Richardson for Council President Johnson) and #250891 (Bass). All the bills will be referred to a Council Committee for further consideration.
Councilmembers also introduced and approved 18 non-privileged resolutions during Thursday’s Council session. Among the notable non-privileged resolutions are:
- Resolution #250892, introduced by Phillips for Council President Johnson, approves the Rebuild Philadelphia Project Statement for Fiscal Year 2026 pursuant to Bill #1702060.
Under Bill #1702069, the City Council must approve the Rebuild Project Statement annually by resolution to authorize the use of proceeds from Rebuild bonds. Rebuild is a Philadelphia initiative funded by the city’s beverage tax to enhance neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries.
- Resolution #250895 (Thomas) authorizes the Philadelphia City Council Committee of the Whole to hold hearings to discuss the current slate of Philadelphia school facilities and how the School District evaluates those facilities, and what the educational facilities’ needs are for the school district today and in the future.
- Resolution #250896 (Thomas) authorizes the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings to investigate the rising costs of energy bills, what is driving those increases, and what the city can and can’ t do to address why our energy bills are so high.
- Resolution #250902 (Councilmember Rue Landau, At-Large) authorizes the Committee on Technology and Information Services to hold hearings exploring the context of data center development and operations in the Philadelphia region, the demand for technology infrastructure to support increased use of digital services, and the impacts of its development on Philadelphia’s communities.
The other resolutions introduced and approved on the same day were Resolutions #250893 (Phillips), #250894 (Phillips), #259897 (Jones), #250898 (Jones), #250899 (Landau), #250900 (Landau), #250901 (Landau), #250903 (Lozada), #250904 (Young) #250905 (Young), #250906 (Young), #250907 (introduced by Councilmember Jim Harrity, At-Large), #250908 (O’Rourke) and #250909 (Ahmad).
BILL LEGALIZING CENTER CITY LOADING ZONES AMENDED, HEADS TO FINAL VOTE OCTOBER 23
Bill #250718, introduced by Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. (5th District) on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District), was amended in the Streets and Services Committee on September 29 to authorize loading zones only on Spruce and Pine Streets, bounded by the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers. Spruce and Pine Streets in Center City are represented by Councilmember Mark Squilla (1st District) and Johnson (2nd District).
Bill #250718 was scheduled for a final passage vote, but it was amended for a second time this week—this time on the Council floor—because Johnson and Squilla wanted to ensure that the Philadelphia Streets Department has the authority to install loading zones in Center City where needed and to protect existing loading zones from legal challenges.
The new language states, “Loading zones of any type, whether or not described in this Code, are hereby authorized within the area bounded as follows: Bainbridge Street, the Schuylkill River, Market Street, North 15th Street, JFK Boulevard, Broad Street, Spring Garden Street, and the Delaware River. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, including Code subsections 12-2711(2) and 12-905(1), all regulations of the Department of Streets for the establishment of these loading zones are hereby confirmed and reestablished. The Department of Streets is hereby authorized to promulgate any additional regulations consistent with this ordinance.”
Council is now tentatively scheduled to take a vote on the new legislation—now Bill #250718-A—as soon as the October 26 Council session.
The new amendment also aligns with the implementation of the “Get Out The Bike Lane” law that Johnson sponsored and was signed into law by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker in December 2024. The Get Out The Bike Lane law bans stopping, standing, or parking in bike lanes across the city. The law was enacted following the death of Dr. Barbara Friedes in July 2024 in a bike lane crash along Spruce Street in the Second Council District.
To find all the bills and resolutions in progress at City Council, visit City Council’s Legislative Information Center. The site offers quick and simple public access to information about Philadelphia City Council bills and resolutions.
COMMITTEE HEARINGS THIS WEEK ON THE SAFETY OF SEPTA’S SILVERLINER REGIONAL RAIL LINE FLEET, TRAINING FOR SECURITY GUARDS, AND USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN CITY GOVERNMENT
Philadelphia City Council’s Transportation and Public Utilities Committee held a hearing to examine SEPTA’s Silverliner IV Regional Rail fleet after federal safety agencies called for urgent action to address electrical fires and maintenance issues.
On October 1, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published an investigative report, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued an Emergency Order in response to recent fires involving SEPTA Silverliner IV Regional Rail trains.
Councilmembers sought updates on ongoing delays, the status of the investigation, and SEPTA’s timeline for implementing federal safety recommendations.
Since the inspections began, Regional Rail riders can expect crowded conditions, skipped stations, delays, and canceled trips as trains undergo large-scale federally mandated inspections.
Council’s Commerce & Economic Development committee held a hearing on Bill #250646 An Ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions,” by adding a new chapter entitled “Minimum Training For Security Officers,” and Bill #250654 that would add two additional business community members to the City’s Economic Opportunity Review Committee.
Bill #250646, sponsored by Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (At-Large), would require employers to provide 40 hours of in-person training upon hiring security guards and eight hours of training each subsequent year. In the legislation, the training must be provided by a non-profit organization, such as a labor union.
SEIU 32 BJ union is supportive of the legislation. Natalie Kidd, chair of the Building Owners And Managers Association of Philadelphia, testified that the bill will be costly for employers and limit their flexibility.
Camille Duchaussee, the City of Philadelphia’s chief administrative officer, stated that the administration supports the bill’s intent but has concerns that must be addressed. The Parker Administration prefers that employers be allowed to provide the training in-house and has called for delaying the start date of the legislation to 2027 instead of next year, giving the city time for any needed implementation.
Bill #250646 was voted out of Committee after Thomas proposed an amendment that revised the bill. Thomas states he may make more amendments before any final passage vote.
The Council’s Committee on Technology and Information Services held a groundbreaking hearing on Resolution #240759, exploring how the city uses artificial intelligence (AI) and its possible future applications. Councilmember Rue Landau (At-Large) chairs the Committee. The hearing took place at the PhillyCAM offices and studios, a nonprofit media organization located in Center City.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20: DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN PENNSYLVANIA’S NOVEMBER 4 ELECTION
The deadline for Pennsylvanians to register to vote in the upcoming Nov. 4 election is Monday, October 20.
To be eligible to vote, an individual must be:
- a U.S. citizen for at least 30 days before the election,
- a resident of Pennsylvania for at least 30 days before the election, and
- at least 18 years old on the day of the election.
In Philadelphia, voters will choose candidates for Philadelphia District Attorney and City Controller, as well as judges for Philadelphia Common Pleas and Municipal Courts, and for Pennsylvania Supreme, Commonwealth, and Superior Courts.
The Philadelphia City Commissioner’s Office has established satellite election offices in all 10 council districts, and election workers are prepared to assist eligible residents with registration before the Oct. 20 deadline. They can also provide mail ballots on demand, allowing voters to request, fill out, and return their ballots in a single visit.
All satellite election offices will be open seven days a week leading up to Election Day. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 pm and Saturday – Sunday from 10 am to 4 p.m.
A full list of Satellite Election Office locations is available at https://vote.phila.gov/news/2025/09/23/2025-general-election-mail-ballots-office-hours-and-drop-boxes/
Any registered voter in Pennsylvania can choose to vote by mail ballot; the deadline to apply is Oct. 28. Those ballots must be received by the county elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. An interactive map of mail ballot drop-off locations is available at phila.gov/voting.
For more information, contact the City Commissioners’ Office at 215-686-8683 (VOTE).
NEXT COUNCIL SESSION IS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23
City Council’s next Stated Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 23 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time at Philadelphia City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth Floor), Philadelphia City Hall.
The public can watch City Council sessions live in Philadelphia on Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40, streamed live at PHLCouncil.com/watch or heard on WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1FM) from 10a.m.-1 p.m.
Note: Thank you to the City Commissioner’s Office and the Offices of Councilmembers Dr. Nina Ahmad and Cindy Bass for providing information for this edition of the Weekly Report.
